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RESEARCH ARTICLE

3D Printing and Computer-Aided Design for Precision

Osteotomy-Aided Modules in Bone Biomechanical Study

Daofeng Wang 1,2† , Lin Han , Gaoxiang Xu 1,2† , Wupeng Zhang 1,2,4 , Hua Li , Cheng Xu ,
1,2
1,2
3†
Huanyu Li , Jitian Li *, Hao Zhang *, Jiantao Li *
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1,2
1,2
5
1 Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
2 National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
3 Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
4 Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
5 Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
6 Henan Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital (Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital), Henan Institute of Orthopedic and
Traumatology, Luoyang, China
† These authors contributed equally to this work

Abstract: Precise and shape-matching osteotomy models are determinants of the experimental homogeneity in the assessment of
orthopedic biomechanical properties. At present, however, publications on detailed description of osteotomy in bone biomechanical
study are scanty. The purposes of this study were to design a new method of osteotomy-aided module production for bone biomechanical
study with the help of three-dimensional (3D) printing and computer-aided design (CAD) and to test the accuracy of osteotomy.
Fourteen fourth-generation composite femurs were analyzed. The composite bone was scanned using computed tomography (CT)
scanner and loaded in Mimics for reconstruction and, then, imported into 3-Matic software to design intertrochanteric region, distal
femur, and rotation control lever models. 3D printer was used to print each component. After assembling Sawbones and osteotomy
modules, a horizontal band-saw was used to create fracture models. The volume and mass of intermediate fragments were calculated
and analyzed. Satisfactory osteotomies of all composite Sawbones were achieved. The mean volume and mass of intermediate
fragments were 21.0 ± 1.5 mm and 19.0 ± 1.2 g, respectively. Range of deviation from average of volumes was −1.9 – 2.8 mm and
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most of these deviations fall within the range of −1.4 – 2.1 mm . Range of deviation from average of mass was −2.0 – 1.6 g and most
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of these deviations fall within the range of −1.4 – 1.6 g. One-dimensional histogram of deviation from average shows the precise
and stable osteotomy performed based on the modules accordingly. A new method of osteotomy-aided module production for bone
biomechanical study with the help of 3D printing and CAD was designed and the accuracy of osteotomy was verified. This method
is expected to achieve homogeneity and standardization of osteotomy in bone biomechanical study.
Keywords: Osteotomy; 3D printing; Computer-aided design; Bone biomechanics

*Correspondence to: Jitian Li, Henan Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital (Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital), Henan Institute of Orthopedic and
Traumatology, Luoyang, China; jitianlee@hotmail.com; Hao Zhang, Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA
General Hospital, Beijing, China; zhanghao0103@qq.com; Jiantao Li, National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and
Rehabilitation, Beijing, China; lijiantao618@163.com
Received: May 3, 2022; Accepted: June 4, 2022; Published Online: August 23, 2022

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: 3D Printing of Advanced Biomedical Devices)
Citation: Wang D, Han L, Xu G, et al., 2022, 3D Printing and Computer-Aided Design for Precision Osteotomy-Aided Modules in Bone
Biomechanical Study. Int J Bioprint, 8(4):607. http://doi.org/10.18063/ijb.v8i4.607

1. Introduction orthopedic implants [1-3] . Bone biomechanics encompass
Bone biomechanical study can provide scientific guidance the simulation of the mechanical loading conditions
for mechanical properties and clinical applications of in clinical practice and the analysis of the structural

© 2022 Author(s). This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting distribution and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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